WASHINGTON (AFP) - President George W. Bush on Saturday rushed to patch up a sudden rift with his most faithful Republican allies, who have supported him on Iraq but have revolted against a White House-backed immigration reform proposal.
With top conservatives crying "sellout," the president used his weekly radio address to emphasize the hurdles rather than the opportunities the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants living in the country will have to face if they choose to legalize their status.
"This legislation will end chain migration by limiting the relatives who can automatically receive green (permanent resident) cards to spouses and minor children," Bush said.
Decisions on admitting future immigrants will be based on the level of applicants' professional skills, education and English proficiency rather than family ties to those already in the United States.